ZF und Wolfspeed planen in der Metropolregion Nürnberg ein Entwicklungszentrum für Siliziumkarbid-Halbleiter.
Die neue gemeinsame Forschungseinrichtung wird von der deutschen Bundesregierung und der bayerischen Landesregierung unterstützt.
Im Bild (v.l.n.r.): Gregg Lowe, CEO von Wolfspeed; Dr. Holger Klein, Vorstandsvorsitzender von ZF; Dr. Markus Söder, Ministerpräsident von Bayern; Hubert Aiwanger, stellvertretender Ministerpräsident von Bayern.
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ZF and Wolfspeed plan research center for silicon carbide semiconductors in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region.
The new joint research facility is supported by the German federal government and the regional government of Bavaria.
Pictured (left to right): Gregg Lowe, CEO of Wolfspeed; Dr. Holger Klein, CEO of ZF; Dr. Markus Söder, Minister President of Bavaria; Hubert Aiwanger, Deputy Minister President of Bavaria.
As part of their strategic partnership announced earlier this year, ZF, a global technology leader for next-generation mobility, and Wolfspeed Inc, the world’s leading specialist in silicon carbide technology, today announced plans to establish a joint European research and development center for silicon carbide power electronics in the Nuremberg metropolitan region.
The new joint research facility is supported by the German federal government and the Bavarian state government. Like Wolfspeed’s planned silicon carbide chip plant in Ensdorf, Saarland, funding for the new center is subject to approval by the European Commission under the EU’s Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCIE) program. Prior approval from the relevant authorities, in particular the antitrust authorities, is also required.
The aim is to develop the two plants into the cornerstone of a new European silicon carbide technology network. Work will start as soon as IPCEI funding approval is received for both projects, which is expected later this year. The aim of the collaboration is to develop pioneering innovations for silicon carbide systems, products and applications that cover the entire value chain from module to complete system, significantly reducing time to market.
The joint research center will address requirements in all mobility segments, including consumer, commercial, agricultural and industrial vehicles, as well as industrial and renewable energy markets. The goal of the collaboration is to achieve improvements such as higher efficiency, higher power density and higher performance of electrification solutions. Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide expertise and ZF’s access to all mobility segments will enable a fast and seamless transition to new technologies.
Europe-wide silicon carbide technology network
ZF and Wolfspeed are working with other leading scientific and industrial organizations to establish a comprehensive European silicon carbide technology network. To this end, ZF will leverage its membership in the European Center of Power Electronics (ECPE) and share key research results on a European level. Over time, the research center will develop into an electronics and semiconductor campus. www.wolfseed.com; www.zf.com
